SOCCER TITLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 233, 2 October 1928, Page 14

SOCCER TITLE.

STILL UNDECIDED.

QHSHUNGA'S DRAW WITH TRAMS.

PONSONBY XOW OX LEVEL, TERMS

The results of the senior matches under the jurisdiction of the A.F.A. last Saturday leave the championship an even more open question than it was formerly, and Ponsonby and Tramways are now more or less on an even footing. It will be impossible for the management to carry out the remaining competition fixtures and the Falcon Cup ties this season, and a deciding match between the two leaders for the title should be decided upon. Ponsonby last week expressed their willingness to meet the corporation side at any time to decide the matter and the A.F.A. should do so on Saturday next. As it is, the teams that are not in the funning are by no means anxious to prolong the season, as was painfully instanced in the Y.M.-Shore game on Saturday. Much commendable energy is being displayed by most of the senior clubs, with the help of some of the lower grades, in the Queen Garnival which has been inaugurated with the idea of replenishing the exchequer in view of the misfortunes of the past season. The yew 1928 will rank as a, disastrous one in the Mstory of the game, but it is inore than satisfactory that in the dying weeks of the season there is still a silver lining to the clouds of trouble.' The clubs and supporters of the code are rallying to the assistance of the organisers of the earnival contest and it is highly satisfactory that with but one prominent exception all are taking a keen and lively interest in some candidate. So far the position of the queens in the matter of voting favouritism is not obtainable, but within the next few days the ground work will be SUoeiently finalised to permit a progress report being issued. The curtain-raiser at Blandford Park on Saturday was a classic example of the lack of interest of some clubs when out of the running for championship honour*, on being asked to play in the faeo of other attractions elsewhere in the eity. For a senior team to take the field to fulfil a championship engagement with nine players is most unusual, and certainly call* for some explanation, The consequence was that the game was not taken seriously, whereas the public had a right to expect something better for their support. There is something almost tragic when a club with a record sueh as North Shoro has in the history of Soccer turns oat as it did on Saturday. WmSOHBV VICTORIOUS. The Ponsonby v. Northcote match last Saturday was quite an-uninteresting display. After Ponsonby had. 'put on two fodki c»rty in the game, they were cqvtenfc to held tha opposition without unduly exerting themselves. Northcote were without Lyons and McKernon, while Vfatti and Stewart were absent irom the Ponsonby side. Porter did all that was I asked of Mm in goal /or Ponsonby, in I good *ty\«. "Williams and Locke proved] sound »t iuWback, the former being good |n defmo, Morrison, McCosh and Miles played well in the: lijtlf-baok line. The forward line combined effectively and brought off sqjoq pretty play, but the weakness in front of goal was very pronounced, the shooting being very bad. With Innes' advent in the centre in the seeOnd spell matters improved somewhat, j Roberts (who deputised for Lyons in | goal for Northcote) deserves great credit for his fine display. He usually plrfys full-baeJr, and this was his first appearance as a goal-keeper. Taylor an: 1 . Munro worked herd at full-back for Northcote. Th® Matter's clearing work being very goad, Me«k was /aj'r ad hat \ was Yo >w weni» bp}me». Bu Munro was reliable at rfght-half, getting ( In some solid defensive work, while. Elaby | w*a the best oi the hatt-bftck line* The forward IVRe worked hs,td but lacked 1 cohesion, and individual efforts were the order of the day. v J ©ACRE CUP FINAL. The Dacre Cup final, between Newmarket and Manurewa, was a fast and exciting game, and kept the crowd of spectators intensely excited. The first spell was ;iVwly and two all. Manurewa held the attack for a considerable part of the second spell, until Newmarket fought clear and came down to their opponent's end, Excitement ran high as the play surged round Manurewa's goal, and an equaliser seemed; due at any mojne?|ffc iVAfter five of hectic exchanges in the goalmouth, during which the ball rebounded off the eross'bar .twice, Manurewa cleared and their, supporters breathed a sigh of relief, effort as Manurewa hpd command of t)»A game from. Ijiif.. on, running out winners by three goals to two. It was a great dis* play ,by. sides, but Manurew® would have oein -nnincky to',have lost on the run of They were'.the better side in team work, white their forward line had more combination and thrust than their opponents. Newmarket on th« other hand', were more solid on defence, but their forwards lacked finish. Crs«tou gave a great display in goal for Newmarket, bringing off some great saves, Potts played a solid game at full, back, his defensive work being of a high standard.' For' Manurewa Lees was good at centre-half, opening up tlie game and defending well, Williamson was th» best of a good forward line. ONEHUNGA RIBE TO THE OCCASION. The fi'&t half display by Onehunga against Trams on Saturday was reminiscent of the Manukau side when they upset the calculations of the talented Thistle at the beginning of the season. The team played splendid football, and while their opponents certainly had a weakened team there was . no* denying the capabilities of the blue and gold brigade> the second spell, however, the Trams showed Vastly improved form and' reversed the order that had pre? veiled in the opening On the ?Un Of the play a draw was a fair-indi- | cation thecomparativeability? of ■ the' teams. Tramways hissed. Spencer

tend Davis badly, and it was no surprise that the side was at sixes and sevens for the first part of the game. Two half backs did not improve the forward line, and wjth Christie limping from early on with an ankle injury, the team certainly was disorganised. It was a wise move to shift Held of the Navy into the middle division, and it was well for Onehunga that Mellor rose to the occasion as a custodian. Qnehunga are to be congratulated on their team, at ths end of what has been td them a somewhat trying season. They have gathered together a bevy of ypung players whose ability and promise must be a source of satisfaction to the officials of the club. Should they be successful in holding the services of their present team, sjjc of whom are only in their first season in senior grade, till next year, Onehunga will undoubtedly play a prominent part in the code in 1929, for without doubt they are the most improved team this season. Mellor played a great game between the posts, and fully merited the liberal applause that greeted many of his efforts. Builer and Peterson were judicious and careful in their defensive play, while the halfback s, Woodhall, Bentley and Jackson gave the opposing attack little chance to settle down. The forwards combined splendidly and the shooting and crossing of Whimster and Jones weer a fitting finish to the clever inside 1 play of Griffiths, Rivers and Gill. The footwork of the latter was particularly attractive. Tramways' display was not up to standard, as was to be expected. In the defence Batty was sound. Porteous and Fyffie, the wing half-backs, kept to their places, and gave the forwards every encouragement, but not till Reid took up the pivotal position did the team work With anything like smoothness. Christie was not himself after his injury, and the backs, accordingly, had more than their share of running about. The forwards were best served by the extre m e wingers, Spong and Lewis, the latter making a welcome re-appear-ance. Their shooting and crossing was better than the Trams have had for a time. Tinkler worked hard at inside right, and in the second half, when Christie and Stretton entered the attack, Onehunga had their work cut out to keep their goal I intact. The game was always interesting', but at times there appeared to be a much too liberal use of the tongue on the part of the players.

BUSINESS ROUSES' FINAL.

The Business Houses' competition, -Which baa jbeen carried through with' much 'enthusiasm, will be brought to a final stage to-morrow evening, and the most important match is that at Bland, ford Park, between Hellaby's and Abels, Ltd. Hellaby's top the competition with 13 points for 7 matches, but the Power Board and the Milk Co, are only two points behind. A defeat of Hellaby's and a win for the Power Board against Abels would place the teams level, and®the butchers," with Whowell, Kave, Wright, and Go. have no" easy task against Abels. Power Board have had a great run in I the Business Houses competition, and for two years have been finalists,. Farmers' Trading Co.; who have held the liand-l Bom? trophy given by their-own board of nianagers for three seasons in succession,, are: not in the i#nning this season, white Hellaby's, on tlieir first year of entry, bid fair to gain posses-, sion of the coveted prize. The position of the clubs to date is as Goals. P. W. D. L. F. A. Pts. Hellaby's 7 G 0 1 17 1 13 Power Board ... 7 a 1 1 20 11 11 Milk Co 7 4 0 3 12 4 1J Booth McDonald .7 3 1 3 4 5 7 Abels, Ltd 7 2 3 2 12 13 6 Farmers' Trading 7 13 3 615 5 Tramways 8 2 5 1 6 7 5 Customs 7 2 5 0 14 7 4 Rents, Ltd. 7 0 7 0 437 0

ONLOOKERS' VIEWPOINT.

NZ OLYMPIC TEAM. revort nf io M t t kea exce P tion *0 the report of Mr. Amos, manager of the 01 y m P' e team, in that lie states Miss Stoekley was fortunate to eaSy heat to qualify in the >aek-Btoke swimming Lai/ The writer points out that the winner of , heat es tahlished a world record, and that, consequently, to be placed third and get into th e final' in such company, and because she did the fastest 'third,' entitles Miss Stocklev to more credit than Mr/Amos gives her."

GOLF.

AKARAffA CLUB. The Canadian foursome competition resulted! Q. L- Brett and A. Js T . Henderson (i>), all square; JI. A- Clarke and L. Cum' mins (8). 1 downs C. Bailey and V. L. Baker (6), a down; W. T. Dofeson and D. Syroe (9), a down; B, J. Smith. jun„ ahd A- Sinclair (7), 3 down 5 W- T. Surman «ni» A. E. Young (JQ). 4 down; F. Hazeiden and S. McHobie (8), 4 down.

PUPUKE CLUB.

The four-ball best-ball bogey handicap match' for Jlr, C. H. Kinfsford's trophy, resulted an follows: L. Johnston and A. K. Hopewell, 3 up; T. O. de Clive Lowe and L. G. Whittaker, 2 up; A. M. Howden and D. H. O. Mowbray, 1 down.

PUPUKB LADIES' CLUB.

Following Is the draw for the C grade match, stroke play, to be played on Thursday : Mrs. Stevenspn v, Mrs. Seaman. Mrs. Randall v, Mrs, Close, Mrs, Baxter v. Mrs. Mills, Mrs, Scurr v. Mrs, Scales, Mrs, Allen v. Miss Jackson, Mrs. Sellars v. Miss Gudgeon, Mrs. Kingsford v. A. N. Other.

MAUNGAKIEKIE LADIES' CLUB.

A match for C grade players will be held on Friday for prizes presented hy Mr. S. Gyllies. Entries elose to-morrow. The last C grade match was won by Mips P, Reid, with a score of 115.

OTAHUHU CLUB.

Concluding events of the Otahuhu Club's season resulted as follows;— Mixed Foursomes.—Mrs. McNeely and A. P. Eustace. Ladies' Approaching and Putting.—Miss E. Whiteley. Ladies' Long Drive.-—Mis# Parton. Men's Long Drive.—lj. J. Croxson Approaching and J, Levy, Trophies won during the season will be presented at the annual dance to be held to-morrow night.

THE PUKEKOBE CLUB

Mixed foursomes op Saturday marked the end of the club's soason. The beat net scores were as follows Mrs. Maddison and Madrtison, 85: Mis# Allan and Johnson, S3; Mrs. Stuart and Sehlaepfer. 35: Miss Kensington and Short. 38: Mr*. Motion and O'Loughlin, 41; Mrs. O'lVoughUn and Hosking, 42 For those returning cards of 83 a play-off for first place was held, over three holes, and the winners were Miss Allan and Johnson. Competitions not vet finished are to be completed as opportunity offers.

PUKEKOHE CLUB.

PUKEKOHE. this day. The curtain was officially lowered on the golf season in Pukekohe on Saturday, when visitors were present from the surrounding clubs. A mixed foursome match resulted Miss Allan and C. O. Johnson, net 85; Mrs. Maddisop and E, Mftddtaon, 85; Miss Stuart and A. Sjclilaepfer, 35: Mrs. Motion and O'Loughlen, 41; Mrs. G'Loughlen and Hosklnc, 42. .In the play-off Miss Allan and Johnson ear--1 ried off the honours. For the Eohq Cup (men), Chartesworth beat Lawson at the 19th hole; Brosnahan beat McWhirter, 1 up; Drake beat Johnson at the 10th; Schlftepfer beat Lee, 3 and ?; and Maddison beat Kissjing, 3 up.' Tor the Hogking trophy, Schlaepfer beat Brosnahan, S and 2; MeWhlrtep beat Charlesworth, 4 and 3; Kissllng won from Mincher by default. •

The draw for the nnt round for the Kohn Cub isFoster plays Sella?, and the winner meets Charlesworth; Brosnahan plays Drake, and Sellar plays Maddison.

OTABUSTJ iAWBS' CLUB,

. lie best scores returned In the consolatlan match for a trophy presented by Hiss *i follow-:—Mrs. Shaw, ei— w, 5 l J Miap ¥), O'koufhiep, 71—19—52; Miss Sutherland, 7S—i^r-53,

OIOROIKB CLUB,

(From Our Own Correspondent.) t MATAMATA. this dsjIn the qualifying round of the Okoroire Club's senior championship (80 entrants), played on Saturday, the following were successfulF, W, Hutchison TB, R, Stevens |1, BJ, Harwood 83, W, Rice F, Jones, Johnson and A. Stewart BT, N. Wallace 89. A medal round was won by B. Harwood with a card, 78—12—66.

MATAMATA CLUB.

(By Telegraph.—-Own Correspondent.) MATAMATA, this day. The Matamata Club held its closing day and presentation of trophies on Saturday. There waa a large attend' ance, including many members of other elubs. Tha trophies won during the season are as follow;— Ladies,—Senior championship: Miss N. Beverley; junior championship, Mrs.' S, Stoekdale; L.G.U. silver medal division, Misa If, Beverley j . bronse division. Mrs. floHis; monthly medals, May, Mrs. T. Thompson; June, Miss N. Beverley; July, Misa M. Beverley; August, Miss Nioholl; September, Mrs. Hollis; Ring Cup, Mrs. J. T, Laurent on; Thompson trophy, Mrs. S. Stookdale; Montague trophy, Miss Nieholl; bogey match, Miss Montague; Oarruthers trophy, Miss p. Ring; Underwood trophy, Mrs. Hollia; Mrs. Stockdale's trophy, Mrs. Willis; Mr. Stockdale's trophy, Mr. Thompson. Men.—Senior championship, G, Fitzgerald; junior championship, H, Hitchcock; Barry cup, J. H. CJonder; S. H. Gunni trophy, J. H. Conder; J, Carruthers trophy for most improved player, R. Farton; monthly medals, f. White and J. H. Conder; Fitzgerald trophy (bogey), H. Hitchcock; one-club match, G.' S. Laurenson, jun.